Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for jogging transmission neutral switch

US7814806B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by

4References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG · DE

Inventors

James DeVore · Laurinburg, US
Rudolf Kalthoff · Weingarten, DE
Rupert Kramer · Friedrichshafen, DE
Ronald Muetzel · Southern Pines, US
Robert Sayman · Eriskirch, DE
Mario Steinborn · Friedrichshafen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 14, 2007
Grant date	Oct 19, 2010
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 27, 2029

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T74/20183
WIPO fieldMechanical elements
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cycling a neutral switch of an automated mechanical transmission includes software which, either independently or by operator command through a shift actuator having side-to-side motion capability and sensors, controls a select piston and cylinder assembly to provide shift rail motion along a transverse axis of the transmission which simulates operator commanded motion of a shift rail of a conventional (manual) transmission as the operator checks for neutral. Such activity may release a malfunctioning neutral switch thereby providing a proper neutral indication to associated transmission and engine components to, for example, permit starting of the engine.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.